PupLife Dog Blog

Following are the top ten household items that pose poisoning risks to pets:

1. Human Medications – From ibuprofen to anti-depressants, common human medications are the number one cause of pet related poisonings. Be sure to store your prescriptions and over-the-counter medications safely out of Fido’s reach.

2. Insecticides – Products used to kills fleas, ticks and other insects are routinely the cause of pet poisonings. Be sure to consult with your veterinarian before beginning a flea or tick control program. Read instructions carefully and do not deviate from the written usage guide unless instructed to do so by your vet.

3. Veterinary Medications – Poisoning incidents involving animal medications including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), heartworm preventatives, dewormers, antibiotics and nutritional supplements were up in 2006. Always read and follow label instructions when giving your pet medications and supplements. Certain formulations are species specific and could pose a serious risk if given to the wrong animal or at too high a dose.

4. Plants – Each year thousands of dogs and cats become ill after ingesting common plants like lilies, azaleas, rhododendrons, sago palms and poinsettias among others. Even a small amounts of these plants can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and kidney failure. Be sure to keep indoor plants away from pets and keep Fido out of the garden.

5. Rodenticides – Rat and mouse poisons pose life-threatening risks to dogs and cats. When using rodenticides place them in areas that are absolutely inaccessible to pets.

6. Household Cleaners – Detergents, bleach and disinfectants are routinely to blame for pet poisoning incidents. Depending on exposure, household cleaners can cause gastrointestinal upset, mouth and throat burns and respiratory irritation that can be life-threatening. Be sure to store your household cleaners and other chemicals out of your pet’s reach.

7. Chocolate – Because it contains large amounts of fat and caffeine-like substances known as methylxanthines, chocolate is a big no-no for dogs and cats. In severe cases, pets that have ingested chocolate have experienced abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate pose the highest risk of toxicity.

8. Chemical Hazards – Anti-freeze, paint thinners and drain cleaners as well as pool and spa chemicals pose serious poisoning risks to pets. Just like household cleaners, be sure to store these common items safely away from pets.

9. Physical Hazards – Pets often ingest common objects that pose a choking hazard or lead to intestinal blockage. Puppies are especially at risk and owners should take care to “puppy-proof” their homes just as they would if they have small children. Items that can be easily knocked over, broken, chewed up or swallowed should be kept out of the reach of curious dogs and cats.

10. Home Improvement Products – Solvents, adhesives, expanding glues, paint and items commonly used in construction may be toxic if swallowed. If you’re planning a household improvement project, be sure to secure the area so that your pets do not have access to these kinds of materials.

If you think your dog or cat may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance you should call your veterinarian immediately. You can also call the Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435. A consultation fee of $55 will be required. All proceeds go to support the center. The National Poison Control Center (800-222-1222) may also be a helpful resource although they may not have information specific to pet poisoning and toxicity.

For more information on canine cancer prevention and treatment we’ve compiled the following list of resources. While by no means comprehensive, we hope you will find this guide helpful.

Websites and Organizations:The AKC Canine Health Foundation is the largest non-profit organization of exclusively canine research in the world. The American Kennel Club website provides a resource for the latest in canine wellness, research in canine cancers and the latest news and updates on what is being done to treat this disease.

The Canine Comparative Oncology Genomic Consortium (CCOGC) was established to utilize the opportunities that emerge from the release of the Canine Genome Project. It is designed to better define cancers in companion animals at the genomic level, to provide a forum for discussion, sharing of resources and to guide the development of technologies that can be used to complement the study of canine cancers.

Lowchen Australia contains links to many sources regarding holistic nutrition, diet choices and the importance of vitamins and minerals in your dog’s diet. The impact of carbohydrates, both soluble and insoluble (i.e., fiber), is discussed, as well as high protein and raw diets.

Center for Veterinary Medicine, the CVM regulates the manufacture and distribution of food additives and drugs that will be given to animals. Among other things, it offers the latest information on what’s new and newsworthy.

Pet Education is owned and operated by practicing veterinarians. It is an excellent source for articles describing diagnostic tests, laboratory analyses and therapeutic procedures used in veterinary medicine. Many of these tests and procedures, which are performed on pets are identical to those used in human medicine. Alternative therapy treatments, including massage, acupuncture, herbs, homeopathy and chiropractic are described.

The American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association is an organization whose purpose is to function as a forum for the exploration of alternative and complementary areas of health care in veterinary medicine. It has established guidelines for veterinary acupuncture, chiropractic, homeopathic, and holistic medicine.

OncoLink is a canine cancer resource guide featuring tips, treatment options, screening, support and much more.

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) is the only organization that accredits animal hospitals throughout the U.S. & Canada. AAHA-accredited hospitals adhere to the highest-quality standards available, which help ensure the best care for your pet.

Books:Natural Health for Dogs and Cats by Dr. Richard H. Pitcairn, explores topics such as: what’s really in commercial foods? special diets, benefits of exercise, natural care for common ailments, alternative treatments with homeopathy, herbs and wholesome foods and first aid tips and much more.

If you are completely new to homeopathy, or if even if you know something about homeopathy, but haven’t read it, a great place to start is with The Science of Homeopathy, by George Vithoulkas. This is an excellent, very readable introduction to the principles of homeopathy by a contemporary master.

The holistic pet care movement was begun over 70 years ago by veterinarian, breeder and author, Juliette de Bairacli Levy. Now in her 90s and living in Switzerland, Levy holds a place of honor in the history of natural pet care. Her seminal work Natural Rearing for Cats and Dogs continues to influence practitioners of holistic health care.

Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog by Wendy Volhard and Kerry Brown DVM, features remedies and health food for dogs, along with insight into canine health as a whole along with diet, exerice, and training information. A must-have for every dog owner.

Cancer is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells on or within the body. The cell mass may be malignant or benign, and it may be localized or may invade adjacent tissue and spread throughout the body. According to the National Canine Cancer Foundation, the first steps in cancer prevention include awareness and early detection. In addition, many holistic veterinarians agree that a healthy immune system is a major factor in remaining cancer-free.

Access to clean water, healthy food and avoidance of environmental toxins and stress are just some of the ways in which dog owners can support the development of their pet’s immune system. The following suggestions are just some of the ways in which people can create and maintain healthy lifestyles for their companion animals.

Diet & NutritionClean drinking water is essential for dogs and humans alike. Not only does water help nourish the body, it cleanses and de-toxifies all of the body’s complex systems and keeps the mind alert. Making sure your dog has a ready supply of clean drinking water is a must.

Additionally, many pet care professionals argue that providing your dog with the best possible diet is one way to ward off disease. More and more people are turning to home-cooked and raw (frozen and dehydrated) diets in place of traditional store-bought kibble. BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) enthusiasts maintain that raw feeding is the best way to achieve optimal health for your pet. Many new options are now available for pet owners including dehydrated raw food which requires significantly less preparation time on the part of the owner, while providing a wholesome and well-balanced meal.

Nutritional supplements, in addition to feeding minimally processed, high-quality food, create a foundation for a healthy immune system. Supplements including fish oil, pro-biotics and medicinal herbs lend support to the immune system and can help reinvigorate the body by facilitating the elimination of toxins and tissue repair.

EnvironmentNo one can deny the role that environment plays in our lives. With so many people and dogs living in crowded city-centers, it’s no wonder we long for an idyllic country retreat.

Pollution and toxins are significant factors that affect our quality of life. As we have learned, contaminants such as second-hand smoke, exhaust fumes, proximity to high-current power lines, pesticides and even common household cleaners are all known to cause cancer in animals. Even topical flea and tick treatments (which are essentially poison) put your pet at risk. By limiting exposure to these damaging influences, we can help lower the risk of cancer.

Routine vaccinations can also weaken the immune system. Holistic veterinarians agree that avoiding annual vaccinations is the best course of action. Even veterinary schools are no longer recommending yearly vaccinations for dogs and cats. If you are concerned that your pet will be at risk for a specific illness, your vet can check the effectiveness of prior vaccinations through blood titer tests.

Furthermore, the over-prescribing of antibiotics and steroids in both human and canine populations serves to mask symptoms of illness while failing to address underlying causes. Over the long term, this leads to a weakened immune system that is more susceptible to disease.

Providing regular exercise not only helps build the bond between you and your dog, it facilitates weight management (obesity is a contributing factor in some cancers) and stimulates the lymph system. This system is responsible for “cleaning” the blood by delivering toxins to the lymph nodes and filtering bacteria and other poisons out.

StressIllness can be exacerbated by high levels of stress. By providing a safe, loving home for your dog, you can do much to reduce the stress of daily life. Positive reinforcement training methods along with clear, consistent communication and a balanced routine all help create a stable emotional environment for you and your dog.

ConclusionReducing the risk of cancer in dogs involves a holistic approach that takes diet, exercise and environment into consideration. Dogs need a healthy immune system to help fight illness and avoid cancer. A multi-faceted approach to cancer prevention may be the most effective means in keeping your dog healthy, happy and most of all cancer-free.

Question: I recently started dating a guy I like very much. We both have dogs. I have a six year old female German Shepherd, and my boyfriend has a Tibetan Terrier. The first few times we had the dogs together they got along fine. The next time they were together my dog pinned his dog to the floor several times.

After this happened, things got really cold between us. My boyfriend doesn’t want the dogs to be anywhere near each other, but my dog trainer thinks that there was “pack confusion” and that my dog was correcting his. What do you think?

- Vivian, via email. By the way, the boyfriend is out if he doesn’t try to address this issue. My dog stays!

Answer: This is a very delicate situation, indeed. Thanks for asking such a great question, Vivian. Your commitment to your dog is admirable! To begin, I would recommend limiting the contact between your dog and your boyfriends dog. Only allow them to interact under supervised, training situations.

Clearly there is some miscommunication going on between the two dogs. Even if your dog was correcting your boyfriend’s dog, you don’t want things to escalate any further. Your dog may simply be overwhelmed by the newness of the situation (having to deal with a new dog, your new boyfriend, a new space etc.) This can lead to a higher level of stress, which in turn, can lead to a perceived need for a higher level of self-defense.

Consider implementing a technique developed by Norwegian dog trainer, Turid Rugaas, called Parallel Walking. You can do this with your boyfriend and other friends and their dogs. Go to the park or a yard where you’ll have plenty of space. Have everyone line up (with their dogs on leash) about 8-10 feet apart. In unison, begin walking toward the other side of the yard. As the dogs become more comfortable, close the space between you and the person/dog on either side. Conversely, if one of the dogs appears uncomfortable create more distance.

Observing your dog’s reaction to this exercise will help you evaluate her stress level, and your boyfriend will be able to do the same with his dog. When you understand how the environment (i.e. dogs, people, noise, etc.) influences your dog you can utilize techniques that will help you more effectively communicate with her.

Your ultimate goal is to create a space in which your dog and your boyfriend’s dog exist harmoniously. In order to achieve that goal, you’ll need to look critically at the situation, determine what your dog is “saying” through her behavior and address the underlying reasons for that behavior.

In addition to working with your dog trainer, I highly recommend the book, On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals by Turid Rugaas. You may be surprised by all of the things your dog is telling you through her body language. I am confident that with a little observation and training you and your boyfriend will be able to facilitate a better relationship between your two dogs!